PRESS RELEASE
1st HOT ROCK WEEKEND (Friday 11th April 2003 - Sunday 13th April 2003) Pub La Escuela, San Millan 1, SEGOVIA (70 km Madrid), SPAIN (with extended DJ Record Hops continuing till 7am in other venues) Festival website: http://www.oocities.org/hotrockfestival * Hottest Rock'n'Roll & Rockabilly in all styles * Taking place in Segovia, 70 km (45 miles) north of Madrid on the weekend of 11.4 - 13.4.2003, will be the first of an excciting new Rock'n'Roll festival.
------------------ Introduction ------------------
This weekender is a brand new '50s Rockin' event, co-organised by Hot Rockin' Music (Carlos del Bosque) and Southern & Rocking Music (Marc Fenech). Acknowledged by the Segovian Town Council, the Weekender will be one of the highlights of the Spanish rock'n'roll calendar, and is readily accessible and situated by Spain's capital city, Madrid. The idea originally came about after some long-term negotiation... Marc Fenech (a London "ex-pat" based currently in Finland) suggested to his pal Carlos about the possibilities to make a festival together in Spain, to which Carlos immediately replied, "Actually, I've already been thinking about making a festival in the area I live". "Well, shall we do it?", asked Marc. "Yeah, let's go for it", confirmed Carlos... precisely 30 seconds later. Over the following 5 minutes, the plans were carefully laid and... here we go, the 1st Hot Rock Weekend! During the next 3 months, the bands and DJs were contracted and additional entertainment ideas unfolded, consequently becoming additions to the activities of what promises to be an eventful, exciting festival. In the current Spanish scene, most of the larger events are based in the crowded Barcelona area. The Hot Rock Weekend signifies a unique major event in the Madrid "capital county", all the more pleasing for homeboy Carlos, hailing from Valladolid, in said county. Whilst the initial plan for the 'fest' might seem to have come about quite casually, the 2 organizations promoting the event are well known and experienced in the scene: Hot Rockin' Music, is run by Carlos del Bosque. This is a record label with a few CD releases to its credit, that also used to run the 'Teddy Bear' 'zine in Spain. Additionally, Carlos is a member of the Rollin' Miles and also the Spanish/German combo, the Jungle Tigers; and was formerly in the Lonely Cats. Southern & Rocking Music, is run by Marc Fenech. Most known from the international magazine of the same name (published from London), it actually began, and continues to be, an international entertainment agency in rockin' & roots, as well as dealing in records and other related rockin' activities. Southern & Rocking also organises, or has plans underway to do so, 15 rockin' Festivals in 6 different Nations per year, covering several rocking styles. Marc Fenech is also an active writer, researcher and contributor. Both have been active cats diggin' the rockin' scene for over 20 years. To promote growth for the future of the Spanish scene, persons aged under 20 will get entrance with just 25% of the normal ticket price and Sunday entry is free for all!
---------------- THE MUSIC ----------------
REAL Music is what we are talking about here: 1950s styled American rock'n'roll and rockabilly, some British too, in its various addictive forms - something to suit all tastes. The international line-up reflects that, both in the live bands and the generous selection of top DJs, from 4 nations.
---------------- THE SHOW & WEEKEND's ACTIVITIES -------------------
The Hot Rock Festival is the largest event of this kind in the Madrid area so far. The live bands will perform in one central venue on the Friday and Saturday, and the rock'n'roll action will continue with wild record hops in a separate venue after. Sunday's bands will then play earlier in the evening at another venue. Segovia is a picturesque medieval town, with an even older history, such as the Roman aqueduct, nearby the venues. In fact everything is nearby and at an accessible walking distance in this ideally-sized small town! At this 1st HOT ROCK Festival we have put together a fine line-up hailing from the Rockin' Scenes of 4 nations - 10 fine Bands and all kinds of Exhibitions, Shop Stalls and Displays. We're talking 3 Days of Rockin' Action, daily (& nightly) till 7.00am folks! Expect a fine international gathering of rockin' guys & gals from Spain, France, Germany and elsewhere! DARREL HIGHAM & The ENFORCERS (UK) * SPO-DEE-O-DEE (Germany) * SANDY FORD (UK) * SUE MORENO (NL) * 2-TONES (NL) * JUNGLE TIGERS (Germany/Spain) * MAD FRED & The MANIACS (NL) * JUMPIN' WHEELS (Estonia) * THE ROLLIN' MILES (Spain) * ANABEL & THE ROCK-A-BELLS (Spain) plus 10 DJs incl. Mouse's Record Hop (UK) Critically acclaimed, guitar-slingin' maestro extraordinaire, DARREL HIGHAM (UK) will be one of the headline acts at this event. With many rated records under his belt, we are flying in the whole band DARREL HIGHAM & The ENFORCERS - the real deal, a band that includes veterans from other top bands like Restless and Dave Phillips & The Hot Rod Gang. Following the cancellation of the Satellites' (Australia) European Tour, it was decided to "up the ante" and bring in one of Europe's hottest "authentic period-perfect", cool rockabilly bands. With several records released in Germany, Sweden and Japan, they don't come much finer than SPO-DEE-O-DEE (Germany). On the British Revival Rock'n'Roll side of things, a veteran with particular popularity in Spain would be none other than SANDY FORD (UK), frontman of the legendary Flying Saucers, who rode on the crest of the tidal wave of European Rock'n'Roll Revival since the mid-70s. Rockabilly with latin, swing and country touches is provided by SUE MORENO (Holland). Following in the strong traditions of Dutch rockin' females set by the Ranchgirls, Bugaloos and Haystack Hi-Tones, Sue Moreno is the hottest thing from the Netherlands at the moment, whether it's in her own right in the leading role of the "Country Music Hall of Fame" production currently in Benelux theatres, or at the head of Sue & The Flaming Stars, whose CD appeared recently on the busy 'Rarity' label. The 2-TONES (Holland) are another diverse rock'n'roll combo taking inspiration from several rockin' styles. Their ritojo rhythms will be seen on 3 festival appearances in the UK, and also Germany and around Europe during this year, as they prepare for their 2nd CD release. The JUNGLE TIGERS are a tough rock'n'roll band with members from Germany and Spain. A no-nonsense wild stage show is promised from this 'all-star' band comprising members of such luminaries as Germany's Ton Up Rockers, Crusaders, Badland Slingers, Crusaders, Rawhide, Lou Cifer & The Hellions and Spain's Lonely Cats and Rollin' Miles, plus the German/Dutch Wildcats! An equally strong show is anticipated from MAD FRED & The MANIACS (Holland), a 4-piece of longstanding members in the Dutch scene (e.g. Ronnie Nightingale & the Haydocks) with 3 record releases under their belts and some fine reviews in prominent magazines like 'Now Dig This'. The JUMPIN' WHEELS (Estonia) are one of the most prolific rockabilly bands to have emerged from the former Eastern Bloc. With their debut album on release shortly in Spain, the long travel from the east is no problem for the regularly touring trad. rockabilly trio, who also became the first ever 'east bloc' combo to be chosen as the band for an original '50s rock'n'roll pioneering legend, when they backed Johnny Powers ("Long Blond Hair"), from Detroit, admirably onstage during his Scandinavian dates last year. A progression from experienced bands like the Lonely Cats,THE ROLLIN' MILES (Spain) have been amassing a fine rep for themselves, not least via some strong south European festival appearances. Expect a debut CD in the near future, to add to the two Lonely Cats ones formerly. ANABEL & The ROCK-A-BELLS (Spain) might be a new name, but they have an impressive pedigree. Anabel was singer with Los Tornados, the first Spanish band to get international press attention with their releases on 'La Rosa', the successful Spanish major label. She later led the Loneshots, the first Spanish band to stand under the bright international spotlight of the Hemsby Rock'n'Roll Weekender (UK), and whose recorded product garnered similar approval in the press.
RECORD HOPS:- The Spanish sure know how to Dance and significant importance was given to the recruitment of 10 DJs from no less than 4 nations. These include Mouse's Record Hop (London, UK), arguably the best and most innovative in Europe! The hottest hops in Germany, Spain and Finland have also been scouted. Hot Boppers, wild Jivers and powerful Strollers will echo in the record hops nearby till 7.00 in the morning! There will also be a Rock'n'Roll Memorabilia Exhibition among others, such as a display of the earlier years in the History of the Spanish Rock'n'Roll Scene. A variety of Record and Merchandise stalls from southern & central Europe will also be present, offering a selection of fine wares including records, clothing, books and everything else you could imagine. It would seem like the whole town will be involved in some way with the Weekender, so expect a warm, friendly atmosphere! For instance, the nearest food vendor will be offering a special, adequately priced "rockin' meal" and the other bars and saloons in the town will have their CD jukeboxes suitably stocked with rockin' CDs! This is the first of what will become a bigger and better Weekender Festival every year - and is set immediately to be a highlight in the Spanish Rock'n'Roll Calendar.
-------------------- TICKETS & PRICING ------------------
Tickets are moderately priced at just 19 euros in advance (22e on door) for Friday; 21 euros in advance (24 on door) for Saturday and there is FREE ADMISSION (that's right 'no charge'!) for SUNDAY. Furthermore, to nurture the future of the Spanish Rockin' Scene (or more accurately perhaps in the traditional pursuit of Rock'n'Roll's Corruption of Spanish Youth!), tickets will cost ONLY 5 EUROS per day on both Friday and Saturday for those aged under 20! This noble gesture represents youth-admission for merely 25% of the average ticket price! FOR MORE INFORMATION & BOOKINGS PLEASE GO TO THE FESTIVAL's WEBPAGE http://www.oocities.org/hotrockfestival (also for Band/Show Info, Route Direction, Hotels etc, etc, etc!) For further INFORMATION & ENQUIRIES (and ticket ordering assistance), please contact the Promoters:
HOT ROCKIN' MUSIC (Carlos A. Del Bosque) Tel: 0636.859.146 (international 0034-636-859-146) Email: hotrockinmusic@hotmail.com
SOUTHERN & ROCKING MUSIC (Marc Fenech) Tel: 00358-3255-4416 (= international) Email: sr.music@rokki.net
----------------------- TRAVEL -----------------------
From Madrid AIRPORT, it's both quick and simple to get to the Train or Bus stations by using the 'Underground' (train) service. Segovia is just 70 Kilometres (45 miles) north of Madrid and there's a train and bus service Every hour from Madrid, the capital of Spain. For prices and timetables, refer to this website: www.renfe.es There's also a Bus service from most of the other Spanish cities too. The main venue is just 5 minutes from the bus station, in the town centre, as are all the venues and activities.
FURTHER INFO HOTSPOTS:
Check Out Ryanair, Buzzaway, Easy Jet and German Wings for cheap flights to Spain!!!
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Marc Fenech, Southern & Rocking Music (UK + Finland), PO Box 41, 33721 Tampere, Finland Tel: 00358-3255-4416 Fax: 00358-3255-4416 Email: sr.music@rokki.net
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